Automatic buffer-coupling.



un. 716,772. Patemed nec. 23,1902.

A. D. SMITH. Y

AUTOMATIC BUFFER COUPLING.

{Application filed July 18. 1EO2J 3 Sheets-Sheet L (No Model.)

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mi.' 7|s,772. Patented uw. 23,1902.

A. D. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BUFFER GUUPLING.

(Application led July 18., 1902.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets--Sheet i?` :FQ Sif! ff 1@ N L J d :JV i

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No. 7I6,772.` Patnted Dee. 23,71902.

A. D. SMH'H.

AUTOMATIC-'BUFFER GUUPLING.

{Appliation led July 18, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Medef.)

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AUTCllllfliTlC BUFFER-COUPLING.

0F EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

SPECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,772, dated December23, 1902.

Application filed July 18,I 190g. Serial No. 116,107. (No model.)

To all whom t nfl/tty concern:

Be it known that I, ALLIsoN DALRYMPLE SMITH, a subjectof the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Edinburgh, Scotland, have invented a certainnew and useful Improvement in Connection with Automatic Ender-Couplers,

of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic centralbuffer-couplers for railway and other rolling-stock.

The buffer-coupler according to this invention consists,substantially,of a divided louder head somewhat similar to the Norwegiancentral buffer-coupler-i. e.,ofa louder-head comprising two vertical andnearly parallel side walls, forming in plan a forked extension cf thecnterend of the draw-bar, these side wallsj being outwardly fianged toform similar vertical bnfing surfaces extending to an approximatelyequal extent above and below the horizontal plane of the central line ofthe draw-gear, so that the bnii'ing-snrfaces as a whole are symmetricalin relation to the center line,and thus secure a direct buiiingthrnstalong the center line of the draw-gear. The side walls are furtherutilized, as in the Norwegian buffer-coupler, to formk by their inneredges guides for an incoming coupler when the two are not in alinement,as is the casein coupling on curves, and the `space between the sidewalls or guiding-surfaces may be increased or diminished, according asthe coupler is required to operate on curves of a lesser or greaterradius. The side walls are connected across at their lower edges by aweb which carries an npstanding draw hook or horn placed centrallybetween the side walls, over which a link or shackle may readily engage.The link normally engages with the hook on the center line, so that astraight pull is obtained, and the front face of the hook or horn isprolonged downward at a suitable angle, so as toform an inclined planeof length dependent on the maximum difference of level at which twobuffer-couplers are required to engage-as, for example,in the couplingof a loaded with an unloaded Vehicle.

The coupler consists of a link orshackle, preferably'of a shackle, ofthensual form, but having its outer end or point rounded to a point inplan and brought .to an edge in 'section or otherwise shaped, so as toallow the ready passage of either link over the other without risk offouling and may be made with or without a bridging or distaneing pieceor stud between its members near the butt-end. This shackle isattachedto the bilder-head by a shaekle-pin passing through the eyes of theshackle and through one or more (preferably three) bearings in the rearof the hook and in or about the horizontal plane of the center line. 'Where three bearin gs are employed,the two outer or lateral bearingsconsist of transverse openings of suitable form made in the side walls,while the central bearing is a similar opening made in a boss formed onthe end of the buffer-plunger in the rear of the hook or horn. Theshackle' prior to engagement is supported in an approximately horizontalposition by supporting-surfaces, whichinay be curved in vertical sectionand which form part of the transverse web above mentioned on either sideof the hook or horn.

In order that lhe bulencoupler shall be capable of engaging with a linkof one of the existing coupling-chains, asis necessary while existingrolling-stock is being converted, these supporting-surfaces haveextensions curved downward on either side of the hook or horn, producedby the web being cut away sufficiently to permit an ordinary link to lieengaged securely over the hook or horn. This curving of thesupporting-surfaces or cutting away of the web may be carried out to anydesired extent, provided 'sufficient material is left to support thehook and the side walls near the landing-surfaces.

The buffer-couplers are all similar and are normally kept beforeengagement with their shackles down-fi. e., in the approximatelyhorizontal position.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is aside elevation, partly in section, of two buffer-heads and connectedparts before engagement. same; Fig. 3, a corresponding View to Fig. lafter coupling; Fig. 4, a plan view of same, and Fig. 5 a perspectiveview of a modied form of shackle and pivot pin.

When two buffer-cou piers meet,the point of the lower of the two linksor shackles l passes under that of the upper shackle, and enteringbetween the hurling-surfaces 2 strikes the Fig. 2 isa plan View of` IOOface of the inclined plane 3, up which it mounts, at the same timelifting theoverlying shackle, whose members assist in guiding the pointof the under shackle to the summit of the incline, where it falls intoengagement in the hollow of the hook 7. In coupling on a curve the pointof the shackle enters between the incline 3 and one of the side walls 4and is guided upward by their combined operation. In order to assistthis action, the guiding portions of the side walls may be protrudedinwardly, so that the incoming shackle is forced inward as well asupward. The under shackle having fallen into engagement over the hook orhorn 3, the overlying shackle rests upon its shoulders or point, andwhere a bridge-piece is employed it may rest on that also, and in anyevent it holds the under shackle against disengagement by joltingorothercause. Theoverlying shackleshould be prevented from falling intoengagement with the opposite hook or horn, for if it engaged it wouldtake the whole of the strain, which would thus be thrown upon theweakest part of the hook or horn. To provide for this, the dimensions ofthe shackle-points 5 and of the inner portion of the side members G,which rest thereon, respectively, are so proportioned that the point ofan overlying shackle will clear the point of the opposing hook or hornunder all conditions, as clearly seen in Fig. 3, or the bridging ordistancing piece 29 may be so proportioned that the overlying shacklerests upon it, and is thus kept from falling below the level of thepoint of the hook or horn. In either case it is of advantage that theoverlying shackle 1 shall be as nearly horizontal as possible compatiblewith its not engaging, so as to reduce to a minimum the tendency tothrow up when its buer-head receives a sudden forward acceleration, andit is advisable to shape or cut away the inner and lower surfaces of theshackle members where they would, if overlying, rest on the point of theunder shackle.

In order to secure couplingat the maximum difference of level betweentwo carriages, it is necessary that the links l shall project beyond theplane of the buffer-faces 2 to a greater extent than would be necessaryto couple on the level. This extra length of shackle causes a slackbetween the bufingsurfaces 2 proportionate to lthe diierence of levelprovided for and necessitates the corresponding enlargement 0f the space7 behind the hook or horn 3, where the engaged shackle rests, so thatwhen the slack is taken up the engaged shackle is enabled to slide alongthis space. The length of the space 7 is made sufcient to allowhorizontal travel' when the slack is taken up by the wagons being forcedtogether, and also to prevent the shackle striking against the boss orriding up its surface.

In order to provide for the contingency of two shackle-points meeting onthe same level, it is provided that as the shackles lie in positionbefore engagement their points shall be above the plane of the pivots 8of the two shackles. By this arrangement it is secured that if thepoints of two shackles strike they rise together by toggle action untilon the meeting of the opposing buffer-surfaces 2, if not before, one orother falls into engagement over the hook or horn.

In order further to provide for the variations of level which occur inpractice between contiguous buffers, it is important that the shackleshall when in action be capable of assu ming a position considerablylower at the point than the normal position prior to coupling. Theserequirements are satised by allowing to the pivoting end of the shacklevertical'play in slot 9 or its equivalent, as well as a pivotalmovement, While restricting all longitudinal motion, and by so disposingthe weight of the shackle and its extensions and connections and theposition of the lateral supporting-surfaces 1l, on which the shacklerests when in its horizontal (unconpled) position, that the shacklerests normally with its point elevated above the center line of 8, beingoverbalanced by the superior weight of the pivoting end and itsextensions and connections, as shown in Fig. l, but is capable of beingdepressed at the point and raised at the butt by rocking over the curveat the supporting-surface on its forward end, when the hook or horn withwhich it is engaged becomes lowered owing to inequalities of loading orother cause, the superior weight of the butt being in this case overcomeby the weight of the overlying shackle, in addition to the downward pullof the lower hook or horn when the coupling is in actual tension. Itwill thus be seen that in this automatic buffer-coupling the link orshackle and its bearings and supports are arranged in such a way thatwhile the inner end of link or shackle is held in its bearings againstlongitudinal motion it is yet normally supported with its outer pointabove the plane of its pivot by reason of the weight of the inner endand its connections. At the same time such point is capable of beingreadily depressed by the weight of the overlying shackle, owing to thefact that such depression is produced by the underlying link or shacklebeing made to rock on the curve of the supporting-surfaces toward itsouter end. The form of attachment for the shackle provided to securethese conditions consists, preferably, of a shacklepin 12 of the usualform, supported in vertically or approximately vertically slotted holes9 in the side walls or cheeks and in the (central) boss 14E of thebuer-head.

In order that the rocking motion of the shackle shall be as free aspossible, the bearing-faces of the slotted holes 9 should be inclinedforward so as to approximate to the arc of a circle described from therocking point. In this way all danger of buckling shackles, on the onehand, orl of lifting a shackle o the hook by the leverage of the IOO IIO

rest or support is obviated, while by giving to the shackle beforecoupling the fullest freedom of upward or downward motion the readypassage of one link over the other is secured.

As a further provision for securing that the striking point of theshackles shall fall above the plane of the pivots without unduly raisingthe shackle in its normal position the heads of the shackles maybeturned upward in addition to being shaped, as already described, so asto allow ready passage of either link over the other. The slotted holesmay be further utilized for the purpose of securing the shackle-pin inits bearings without the -use of a split'cotter or other separateretaining device, and, further, for securing a keying action of the pinin either or both eyes of the shackle. This can be eiiected by utilizinga round shackle-pin and forming thereon a fixed key or keys 30 (see Fig.5) of such section as will pass freely through the slotted holes 9 inone position and lock securely in the eyes of the shackle-as, forexample, by forming the key and shackle eyes together ot' the same crosssection as the slotted holes. It is then only necessary so to proportionthe angle between the shackle and the keyway in its eyes that theshackle-pin is inserted With the shackle in a position which it cannotoccupy when in ordinary use. The pin is thus secured from Working out.For example, the shackle may be put in in a vertical position, (which itnever occupies except momentarily,) whereby it is securely locked inevery other position. A cotter-pin or other retaining device may be usedin addition, if desired.

To prevent accumulation of foreign matter, (such as snow, water, ordirt,) which might interfere with the free Working of the pins in theslotted holes, openings 15 are provided in the web of the buierheadsbetween the cheeks and the boss and immediately below the shackle-eyesto act as outlets. These openings may also be conveniently utilized toallow the passage of extensions of the shackle to be used foruncoupling, as hereinafter described.

The raising of the shackles for nncoupling may be effected by prolongingand cranking the ends of the shackle-pins, or by forks, levers, or thelike embracing the shackles or extensions of the shackles, or by anyother device permitting of the telescopic movement of the buer-couplerrelative to the headstock, Thus extensions 16 of the shackles at theirpivoting ends may be passed through the outlet-holes 15 below theshackle-eyes and attached to forked connecting-rods 17, which embracethe ends of such extensions, the opposite end of each connecting-rodbeing also preferably forked, so as to embrace an arm 1S ou acounter-shaft 19, attached to the headstock 2O and havingoperating-handles 21 at either end, or Where the shackle-pin is keyed toits shackle it may be cranked and operated by a chain or flexible cord,or both combined, terminating in operating-handles on either side of thevehicle and passing over a double swinging pulley fixed in the end 0fthe vehicle above the cranked end of the shackle-pin and either attachedat its center .to the shackle-pin or passing over a pulley thereon, inwhich lai-ter case a double purchase is obtained. rlhe cord may beprotected and retained in position by passing it through openings formedin the end stanchions of the vehicle. The ends of the cords maybesecured to the vehicle and the handles dispensed with, if necessary, sothat the cord itself is pulled.

Where trucks are required to meet Without automatically coupling, somesuitable device may be provided to retain the link in its verticalposition-for example, a transverse rod carrying a bent arm or hook whichretains the shackle when the rod is pushed longitudinally toward theshackle or a cranked rod operating similarlywhen the rod is turned.

In order to give greater strength to the buffer-head, projections 22 areformed at the rear end of the side walls or cheeks, so that in 'theevent of the bilder-springs being driven home the blow against thedraw-plate 23 is taken by these projections, thus reducing the risk ofshearing the side walls 13 or cheeks at their junction with thedraw-bar.

In order to facilitate the action ot' coupling on curves and to diminishthe distance necessary between the guiding-surfaces, (and therefore thesize of the coupler,) the wellknown expedient may be employed ofallowing freedom of lateral movement to the buffer -head as a Whole,either by the usual method of allowing the draw-bar to move laterally inthe draw-plate of the head-stock against the action of lateralcontrollingsprings or by giving to vthe draw-bara pivoting or swivelingmotion in the draw-plate, as particularly described ina separatedivisional application hereof filed the 4th day ot October, 1902;

To further facilitate coupling on extreme curves, the side members ofeach link or shackle may be shaped as indicated at 3l, Fig. 5, so as toenable them to take a more oblique position without fouling the sidewalls et of the buffer than would otherwise be possible, care of coursebeing taken that the indentation or cut-away portion, as the case maybe, will in no way prevent the point of the Aunderlying link or shacklefrom passing easily under the overlying one and being guided by it as itrises up the hook or horn 3.

In applying this invention to the existing side buffer-stock during theperiod of conversion to the central buffer-coupler arrangement it isnecessary, or at least advisable,A

that the existing coupling-chains shall be securely connected with thehook or horn on the bilder-coupler by the operation of the IOO overlyingshackle as the engaged link lies in the downwardly-curved channels 28,formed on either side of the hook.

As in practice the existing draw-hooks are of varying lengths it isdesirable that provision should be made to prevent the shackle of theconverted wagon which overlies the loose link from fouling anexceptionally long draw-hook `of an unconverted wagon. For this purposethere may be provided (for use during the period when stock isnecessarily mixed during conversion) a hinged latch attached to one ofthe cheeks or side walls of the buffer-head immediately in the rear ofthe point of the hook or horn, which when not in use hangs freelyoutside and clear of the bufer-head, but when in use lies across thetops of both cheeks or side walls. The shackle being thrown down ontothe latch secures it by its weight. The latch thus acts as a lock tosecure the link of one of the existing coupling-chains from jumping offthe hook or horn of the buffer-coupler, and also as a stop to preventthe shackle from falling into a position where it can be fouled by theopposing draw-hook.

Vhile stock is mixed-z'. e., partly of the old form and partlyconverted-it is necessary to retain the side buffers with the centralbuffer-coupler.

To prevent the central buffer from fouling the draw-hook of anunconverted wagon, it

is necessary to limit the range of the buffersprings.

Since itis desirable to avoid altering the unconverted Wagons prior totheir conversion, allvthe blocking is preferably done on the vehicles tobe fitted with the new buffer-coupler. The conditions requisite toeffect this are that the compression of the side buffers of a vehicle sofitted shall not exceed the difference between the total clearancebetween the buffer-coupler and the longest existing draw-hook in use andthe normal compression of buffers on the unconverted stock. Thisblocking may be effected by inserting a collar -spring of metal orrubber about the buffer-plunger between the buffer-head and thebuffer-guides or by reducing the range of existing springs by blockingor lengthening out the guides or in any other convenient manner.

Vhat is claimed is- 1. In automatic buffer-couplings and in combinationa buffer-head, a bearing-surface in the base thereof for the link orshackle, a slotted bearing in the rear thereof for the pivot, a link orshackle, and a pivot in said bearing connecting said link or shackle tothe buffer-head, the parts being so proportioned that the point of thelink or shackle is normally held above the plane of the pivot-point butis capable of being readily depressed by an overlying link or shacklewhen and after coupling substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In automatic buffer-couplings and in combination a buffer-head, abearing-surface in the base thereof for the link or shackle, a slottedbearing in the rear thereof for the pivot, a link or shackle lying onthe bearingsurface and a pivot in said bearing connecting said link orshackle to the buffer-head, outwardly-flanged side walls to saidbufferhead forming buffer-faces, inwardly-inclined side walls withinsaid head adapted to form guides for an incoming link or shackle, a drawhook or horn centrally placed between said side walls the outer face ofwhich forms an inclined plane extending below the center line of thedraw-gear all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In automatic buffer-couplings and in combination a buffer-head, abearing-surface in the base thereof for the link or shackle, a slottedbearing in the rear thereof for the pivot, a link or shackle lying onthe bearingsurface and a pivot in said bearing connecting said link orshackle to the buffer-head, outwardly-hanged side walls to saidbufferhead forming buffer-faces, inwardly-inclined side walls withinsaid head adapted to form guides for an incoming link or shackle, a drawhook or horn centrally placed between said side walls the outer face ofwhich forms an inclined plane extending below the center line of thedraw-gear, a draw-bar in the rear of said hooker horn forming a centralbearing for the link or shackle and its pivot, the space between theboss and the hook being such as to afford sufficient lroom forhorizontal travel of the link or shackle all substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

4. In automatic bilder-couplers and in combination a buffer-head, innerwalls to support the bufjng-faces and to guide an incoming link orshackle, a hook or horn between the bufng-faces, a link or shackleconnected in the rear of the buffer-head and having its forward endformed as a wedge when looked at in plan and adapted to clear anopposing link or shackle, and to be guided by the inner walls of thebuffer-head into engagement with the hook or horn of the opposingbufferhead substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALLISON DALRYMPLE SMITH.

Witnesses:

PHILIP M. JUSTICE, A. KNIGHT ORoAD.

TOO

